Drivers abducted in Mizoram freed

Jan. 17: The two drivers abducted in Mizoram along with 25-year-old telecom professional Deep Mandal on November 23 have been released and are on their way home.

“Mandal, however, remains in captivity in Bangladesh, but is safe,” said Rodingliana Chaw-ngthu, the police superintendent of Mamit district in Mizoram.

“According to our information, the two Mizo drivers, Sanglianthanga and Lalzamliana, were released on Wednesday afternoon. They are expected to reach Mamit, the district that shares 62km of unfenced border with Bangladesh, by Sunday,” Chaw-ngthu said. “We are trying our best to bring back Mandal safely.”

Mandal’s cousin Raju said the family was “hopeful” the abductors would release the telecom professional. Mandal, who hails from Bankura, had been staying at Raju’s house at north Calcutta’s Shyampukur.

On December 6, the abductors had called up Mandal’s family and sought a ransom of Rs 5 crore. Mandal and the two drivers of a Noida-based company had been carrying out a survey in dense forests in Mamit for installation of mobile towers.

Chaw-ngthu said: “Mizo leaders living in Bangladesh have informed the state CID, which is handling the case, about the release of the drivers. Unfortunately, we lost touch with these Mizo leaders last night. There are six-seven Mizo villages on the Bangladesh side.”